WITH OPEN DOORS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 692, 18 June 1929, Page 11

WITH OPEN DOORS

TEACHER INSTRUCTS CLASS “IN CASE THEY JAM” Press Associatioyi WELLINGTON, Monday. Although the alarming duration of the earthquake caused great concern in the city and suburbs, it was not without its humorous side, and one or two incidents are worth noting. In one big city school a male teacher was conducting a lesson. When the first shock came, he rushed to the door, opened it as if to make an exit, then apparently changing his mind and thinking of the effect his action might have on his pupils, he retraced his steps and harangued the class on the desirability of opening all doors during earthquakes in case they jammed. Several of the smarter pupils, however, had their own ideas about his actions.

The rumour quickly spread that the National Bank building had been thrown out of alignment, and thousands who congregated nearby convinced themselves that such was the case. A thorough inspection by bank officials, however, revealed no damage whatever. The crowd apparently had been led astray by a peculiarity in the design of the building. Other tall buildings recently completed or in the course of construction came through the shake well, although the occupants, especially those on the upper floors, had an unnerving experience. In one of the tallest city buildings a typist fainted four times, apparently making up for the unladylike behaviour of the other three in the same room, who remained comparatively calm. Chimneys came down in various parts of Wellington. Buildings swayed alarmingly, women fainted and children screamed, but, after all, Wellington remained much the same as it was prior to the quake. If it did nothing else it furnished Wellington folk with a topic of conversation for the remainder of the day.